The opening match of IPL 2019 sees the defending champions Chennai Super Kings beginning their title defence when they take on the side they have had the wood on for a while in the form of the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Often we have to wait for the opening ceremony to dissipate before the action can begin but thankfully that has been done away with and the focus can be on the cricket, and two sides who will be looking to be back here for the final in seven weeks.
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Chennai Super Kings
You would have to suggest that not a whole lot has changed within the Chennai Super Kings camp so they should be confident of emulating their success of last season. One thing that has maybe moved on is the age of their senior players. They have a question mark to answer on that score heading into the tournament but it may not take all that long for us to get the answer.
The one thing you have to admire about the Chennai side, right back from the time when the competition begun 12 years ago is the balance of the side. They are loaded with batsmen and they have good bowling options. Mix all that in with experience and a shrewd captain and it is not hard to see why the ‘Yellow Submarine’ are one of the most successful franchises in the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Not for the first time, the Royal Challengers Bangalore players set out on a campaign with everyone wondering if this will finally be their season. Three times they have lost in the final of this great event and they are the biggest side in just about any franchise tournament yet to get their hands on the big prize that they play for each year.
It is hard to quantify that lack of success in many ways because they have always had star batsmen loaded within their side. Admittedly that has often come to the detriment of their bowling attack but on a tiny ground you would expect their firepower to have won them the day a lot more than it has. They will be looking for a fast start here to avoid the mental doubts setting in.
Team News
Chennai Super Kings had Lungi Ngidi ruled out of the tournament a short while ago so David Willey could start the opening match. Shane Watson and Dwayne Bravo look certainties so the other overseas spot could be between Faf du Plessis and Sam Billings. Ambati Rayudu needs a big season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will not be helped in their quest for an elusive victory in Chennai by the news that Nathan Coulter-Nile and Marcus Stoinis are both away playing for Australia. Colin de Grandhomme and Tim Southee were late arrivals but AB de Villiers is expected to be fit. Shimron Hetmyer is set to start.
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Betting
I’m not always one to play the match markets in the Indian Premier League because there isn’t a huge amount between any two teams in the competition and often these matches are won and lost on fine details but even at 4/5 I do like the home side here I have to admit. Chennai Super Kings will want to get their title defence up and running with a win and based on the previous record between these two they have a good chance of doing that.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have a terrible record in Chennai and one of the reasons for that would be the lack of a death bowling unit with the likes of MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo and Ravi Jadeja plundering them for plenty late on in an innings. That can be the difference here. Bravo might be a fading force with the ball but he can still be tricky in these conditions. It is Chennai for me in this one.
Tips
WON – Back Chennai Super Kings to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with 888sport
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